I remember when I was working part-time and going to college. I was, well, busy. In fact, I was so busy, that I didn’t really take time chart the course of my life. There just wasn’t any time for that – I was too busy living life. Do you ever feel that way? Like you don’t have enough time to plan? Like you don’t have enough time to dream? What’s one to do?

The Fast-Paced World of Business

60 years ago, I’m pretty confident you’d find many households with a sole breadwinner. Today? Good luck. It seems the current economic climate has both the husband and the wife working. We could blame it on tuition, on lack of health benefits, and countless other conditions. But the simple truth remains, many households have no choice but to suck it up and have both partners work.

As a natural byproduct, household chores might not be getting done and more dinners are being served through the drive-thru. All of this adds to a greater degree of stress that can cause more issues.

But it’s not all gloom and doom.

Emergence of Time Management Systems

Families are being forced to find alternative arrangements, such as starting their own business or seeking a minimalistic lifestyle. The American dream is changing, but arguments can be made that it’s for the better.

In the 1990’s, David Allen pioneered a new way of working. He sought to free people from the rigidity of the daily to-do list and provide a more flexible system that could help the business people of today.

Yet, even with efficient productivity being promoted as something to be grasped, people were still too busy to make room for perhaps the most important aspect of their day: long-term planning.

What Happened to Planning?

If you’re happy working under a fluorescent light in a cubical all day long, be my guest. In fact, we need people doing just that. But honestly, it’s not for me. I rather have more flexibility with my time and the way I work.

Largely, I’d say I’ve arrived at this ideal. It doesn’t come without it’s difficulties and concerns, of course, but it’s a better way of working for me. How did I get here? Here is my formula:

Time + Planning + Resiliency = A Better Lifestyle and Work Situation

If you’re seeking a better lifestyle and work situation, you’re going to need the time to plan and the resiliency to bounce back from failures.

How to Use the Formula

Many people don’t have the time because they aren’t making time. They work a long shift, come home to have dinner, watch television, and go to bed. If this sounds like you, consider cutting back your hours at work so that you have more time.

Once you have the time, it’s time to plan! What is it that you want to change in your life? Do you need a new job? Use your extra time to chart the course of your life. Will your plan turn out exactly how you’ve written it? Of course not. And that’s where resiliency comes in.

The truth is that your plans will not always work. In fact, they probably won’t work the majority of the time. In order to cope with this, you’re going to need some resiliency. If you can make it through all of your mistakes and failures, you’re on the right track to a better lifestyle and work situation.

Should You Be Charting the Course of Your Life?

Yes. You should. But only do so while recognizing that God might have other plans for you. Seek out God’s plans for you. Sometimes, God will make it plain as day what you’re supposed to do. Other times, God will bring you through a process to reveal the plans. And still other times, God won’t reveal his will. And any of those scenarios is okay, because God is God – we aren’t. Pray for wisdom.

One last tip: Take some time each day to learn something new. Read books. Meet new people. You’ll be better off for it.

All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. – Proverbs 13:16 NIV

The information contained in TheChristianDollar.com is for general information or entertainment purpose only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Seek the advice of an independent financial professional for advice regarding your specific situation.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, we state that we have a financial relationship with some of the companies mentioned in this website. This may include receiving access to free products and services for product and service reviews and giveaways.

Any references to third party products, rates, or websites are subject to change without notice. We do our best to maintain current information, but due to the rapidly changing environment, some information may have changed since it was published. Please do the appropriate research before participation in any third party offer.